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Saturday, May 7, 2011

Derby Day

This afternoon I had the priveledge to prepare a memorable spread for a local Kentucky Derby soiree! I always know it is that time of year when I have this many pecans in the house!

Since this was my third time presenting Derby fare for my friends, I found myself trying to use tradtional dishes in new and creative ways! I served up Benedictine tea sandwiches, southern pimento cheese filled cucumber cups, and even spiked a pineapple with flavors of a mint julep, but my best derby inspired dish started with a batch of my favorite home-made 'everything' dinner rolls.

I topped the rolls with rare beef tenderloin and a butter flavored with Herbs de Provence and sea salt. I also added two sauces to the sandwich: a traditional horseradish sauce and Henry Bain sauce. Henry Bain Sauce originated in Kentucky at the Pendennis country club in 1881 and shares a name with it's creator. The sauce is sweeter than a common steak sauce and marrys beautifully with the horseradish.

Henry Bain Sauce

1 Cup Major Grey's Chutney

1 C Ketchup

2/3 C A-1 Sauce

1/4 C Worcestershire Sauce

3/4 C Chili Sauce

Dash Tobasco

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Store in refrigerator or freezer and serve at room temperature.

As a fun little aside I learned that on derby day your knick name should be the name of the horse that won the race for the roses in the year of your birth. So our names today were:

Leif: Dust Commander

Mel: Cannonade

Emma: Silver Charm

Finn: Fusaichi Pegasus

Overall the party was a smashing sucess and I am already looking forward to next year!